Mercury has been studied significantly by alchemists as an important element of alchemy. Mercury can exist in both liquid and metallic forms, making it a dual nature. This dual nature represented various processes of transformation for alchemists.
Mercury is poisonous. The vapors released when heated can be harmful if inhaled. Therefore, precautions are taken when handling or transporting it.
Mercury's dual nature of liquid and metal was considered a symbol of the double-sided and changeable nature of the alchemical process. In alchemy, this was interpreted as heaven and earth, life and death, spirit and matter. Mercury is one of the 7 basic metals in alchemy (gold, silver, quicksilver, lead, copper, tin, iron).
Alchemy involves not only the transmutation of metals, but also the spiritual and mental transformation of the alchemist. Mercury is seen as a symbol of these processes of transformation and represents the alchemist's inner journey.
Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature and can easily evaporate. Since its vapor is colorless and odorless, its presence is not noticed. Poisoning is mostly caused by inhalation of metallic mercury vapor. It can also be absorbed through the skin. Mercury disrupts the enzyme activity that ensures the continuity of metabolism in the body, causing cell death. Metallic mercury vapor is easily absorbed from the lungs and reaches the brain.
Symptoms of sudden poisoning are fever, headache and muscle pain, a metallic taste in the mouth, burning in the throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Symptoms of chronic poisoning that develop over time are extreme irritability, forgetfulness, weakness, fatigue, depression, headache and lack of concentration. Permanent damage to the nervous system and kidneys, neurological disorders also manifest themselves.
Elemental mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, and pressure sensors. It is also used in batteries, lamps, industrial processes, refining*, and dental filling amalgams*. Mercury is also widely used in the electrolysis* step in the production of chlorides and caustics, and in the refining of gold.
It is a naturally occurring mercury sulfide mineral (HgS). It is the most common ore of mercury.
It has been used throughout history for various purposes as a pigment in art and as a source of mercury. It was included in the Greeks' list of poisonous substances called Witches ' Crucible . The Persian word "Zancafr" comes from the Syriac word "Zngupra". The European word "Cinnabar" comes from the Greek word "Kinnabaris".
It reacts chemically with all elements except gold (Au), platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), tellurium (Te), helium (He), neon (Ne) in the coloring of plastics and in the production of colored paper as a black and red pigment. Although its use as a pigment has decreased due to toxicity, it still has some applications.
It has a distinct red color, and this color can vary from bright red to dark red-brown.
Although the mineral is usually found in crystalline form, it can also be found as granular masses.
It is found in nature on the slopes of volcanoes. It is an important mercury metal ore. The mercury rate in the ore varies between 5-10%. Since the mercury evaporated from the ore is poisonous, working in mercury mines and production areas is harmful to health. It is associated with hot water sources and alkaline environments. It is formed at low temperatures.
It is used in medicine, especially for skin diseases and as an anti-rust paint.
However, its use is controversial due to health risks.
It is odorless. It does not dissolve in water and sinks. It is in hexagonal crystal form.
The most common compound is hydrogen sulfide, which is formed by the reaction with hydrogen (H). (H2S) This gas, which has the smell of rotten eggs, is very poisonous. It is widely used in chemical reactions. Sulfur burns in the presence of oxygen (O) with a faint blue flame and forms sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas, which has a suffocating, sharp onion smell. It becomes explosive under high pressure. This poisonous gas is also released into the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions.
Below is a description of a process that alchemists used to separate mercury from cinnabar, a natural mercury ore.
Cinnabar sprouts are melted in high-temperature furnaces. These furnaces can be special furnaces that can reach high temperatures. The melted cinnabar sprouts are heated at high temperatures in ore melting furnaces. Then, an air current is used during this melting process. The oxygen in the air combines with the sulfur in the cinnabar sprout to form sulfur dioxide gas. This is called an oxidation reaction. At the end of this process, metallic pure mercury is released as vapor. The mercury vapor formed is cooled for use in the rest of the process. The mercury vapor is immediately cooled by passing through the pipes used for cooling. This cooling process allows the mercury to become a pure, flowing silver color.